The Philippines has initiated evacuations, stockpiled food supplies, and placed soldiers on standby in anticipation of Typhoon Yinxing, officials reported on Tuesday, as the storm approaches northeastern areas where it may make landfall later this week. According to the state weather agency Pag-asa, the typhoon’s center, with winds reaching 120 kph (75 mph), was approximately 590 km (367 miles) from Baler, a town in the province of Aurora.
The local government ministry urged early evacuation for those in remote areas, warning that rescuers might struggle to reach them during the storm’s peak, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said.
“Various government agencies have combined efforts to issue early warnings, plan ahead and pre-position the goods and services needed,” Teodoro stated during a briefing.
Officials confirmed that food supplies are being stockpiled, soldiers are prepared to assist with rescue operations, and dams are preemptively releasing water to minimize flooding risks.
The typhoon may make landfall between Thursday night and Friday morning near Cagayan province in the north, bringing heavy rains to areas in its path, according to weather agency official Nathaniel Servando. However, there remains a possibility that the storm could veer off course.
Civil defense administrator Ariel Nepomuceno indicated that up to 24 million people might be directly impacted by the typhoon.
This storm marks the third severe weather event to threaten the Philippines in less than a month, following Storm Trami and Super Typhoon Kong-rey, which recently battered the main island of Luzon, causing 151 fatalities and leaving 21 people missing, as reported by civil defense figures.
“We have learned a lot. That’s why our processes have been adjusted,” Teodoro added.
Each year, the Philippines faces an average of around 20 tropical storms, which often bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and deadly landslides.